[Federal Register: August 7, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 152)]
[Notices]
[Page 47017-47018]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07au03-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Interpretive Services at Ancient
Bristlecone Pine Forest in the Inyo National Forest
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and
organizations on a new information collection, Interpretive Services at
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the Inyo National Forest. This study
requires administration of a survey to a statistical sample of site
visitors.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 6,
2003 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Dr.
James Absher, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station,
4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507. Comments also may be
submitted via facsimile to (909) 680-1501 or by e-mail to
jabsher@fs.fed.us. The public may inspect comments received at the
address given previously during normal business hours. Visitors are
encouraged to call ahead to (909) 680-1559 to facilitate entry to the
building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Absher, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, at (909) 680-1501.
[[Page 47018]]
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 24 hours a day,
every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Interpretive Services at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
OMB Number: 0596-New.
Type of Request: New.
Abstract: As part of a continuing research effort to develop and
try alternative approaches for evaluating recreational services on
public lands, this information collection will focus entirely on
visitors to the Ancient Bristlecone Forest in the Inyo National Forest
of California, which is an important tourist destination. The
information collected will help forest managers better understand how
and why visitors use the interpretive opportunities provided and ways
to improve service delivery. It will contribute to the assessment of
recreational opportunities and to the forest's public programs in
general. Researchers will use three methods to collect the information:
(1) On-site observation of site use--for example, time spent on an
interpretive trail or inside the visitor center, (2) an interview, or
(3) a self-administered, written questionnaire. Both the interview and
questionnaire are voluntary and will contain questions about how, why,
and when visitors used interpretive services at Ancient Bristlecone
Pine Forest, whether these services meet their needs, and how they
think the interpretive services might be improved.
Experts in recreation, social science and interpretive services
from the Forest Service and cooperating universities, in consultation
with the Inyo National Forest staff, will develop the surveys. The
researchers will then administer the surveys to a random sample of
visitors at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, analyze the information
and incorporate the results and recommendations into reports for use by
managers and other researchers. This survey is necessary to provide
land managers with reliable information about site visitors and to
improve customer and information services.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 20 minutes per respondent.
Type of Respondents: Randomly selected individuals visiting the
interpretive services at Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Inyo National
Forest, California.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,000.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 333 hours.
Comment is Invited
Comment is invited on: (1) The necessity of the information
collection for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's
estimate of the information collection burden, including the validity
of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Use of Comments
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: August 1, 2003.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Deputy Chief for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 03-20142 Filed 8-6-03; 8:45 am]
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